(Photo by August M. Spencer)
The Thomas and Vivian A. Wong Honor Tower, a 125-foot beacon of concrete, steel, and aluminum that anchors Unity Park as a new civic landmark, pays homage to veterans, members of the armed forces, and first responders. The tower sits on land that was once the dividing line between segregated parks, Mayberry Park for Blacks and Meadowbrook Park for whites.
Designed by Endrestudio, the 10-story tower recognizes six fields of service: Armed Forces, Fire, Police, Utilities and Public Works, EMS, Medical Services, and Public Health. Six corresponding columns spiral around a central shaft to support the Prisma Health Observation Deck.
Standing in front of the 125-foot-tall tower, along with the Phillip J. Carlton Memorial Plaza at its base, Greenville Mayor Knox White noted that the tower’s dedication was the 15th ceremony to take place at Unity Park since its opening in 2022.
But the Honor Tower was special. “This is the exclamation point!” he said.
The tower is named for Vivian Wong and her late husband, Thomas. Though a stroke suffered four years ago makes it difficult for her to speak, Wong stood before the assembled crowd and addressed them via a pre-recorded message with the help of her daughter, Madina Wong Cauthen.
“This tower is strength and unity,” Wong said. “This is my honor.”
“Today, we witness the completion of another significant landmark that honors the values that make our city great,” said Pastor Stacy D. Mills of Mountain View Baptist Church. “The Honor Tower now rises as a visible reminder of our debt to the courageous individuals who protect us every day. They ask for nothing in return, but they have earned our deepest respect and gratitude.”
Construction on the tower began in June 2024, but White said the idea originated in 2010 during the initial planning of Unity Park. He said the goal was to create a landmark as iconic as the Liberty Bridge at Falls Park, one that could serve as a source of pride for the Southernside and West Greenville communities.
The tower also restores something the neighborhood hasn’t seen in 20 years: a view of the mountains. “We want to reclaim the mountain view, the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Mayor White said. By day, the Tower's copper-hued metal skin captures shifting light. By night, the tower will be lit from within and will be visible from downtown and beyond. Visitors ascend 176 steps or ride a glass elevator through alternating bands of shadow and sun to sweeping views of Greenville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The ceremony was attended by many local and state dignitaries, including South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.
The project was made possible by $5.5 million in private donations, contributing to the $11 million total cost. The remainder was funded through local accommodation and hospitality taxes.
The tower will open to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14. Visitors can ride the glass-walled elevator or climb 10 stories of stairs to take in 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Greenville skyline. Admission is free.
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